Belgium
Support for Mine Action
In 2021, the Kingdom of Belgium contributed approximately €3 million (US$3.5 million) in mine action funding to three countries, as well as to global activities carried out by the Mine Ban Treaty Implementation Support Unit (ISU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on improvised explosive device (IED) threat mitigation.[1] Belgium’s mine action funding in 2021 decreased by 21% compared to the previous year.
Between 2018 and 2020, Belgium provided funding for victim assistance activities implemented by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). No such contribution was reported for 2021.
Contributions by recipient: 2021[2]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
|
Iraq |
Clearance and risk education |
1,500,000 |
1,774,500 |
|
Syria |
Various (clearance, coordination, risk education, and victim assistance) |
500,000 |
591,500 |
|
Global |
Various |
500,000 |
591,500 |
|
Angola |
Clearance |
490,000 |
579,670 |
|
Total |
N/A |
2,990,000 |
3,537,170 |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
Mine action assistance approach
A 2021 document outlining Belgium’s approach to mine action lists five cross-cutting aspects to determine funding allocations: humanitarian needs and impact assessment; adherence to relevant international frameworks by the potential recipient of assistance; national ownership; integration of mine action into broader humanitarian, peace-building, and sustainable development approaches; and convergence with Belgium’s international and development priorities.[3]
Five-year support to mine action
In 2017–2021, Belgium’s funding to mine action totaled more than €14 million ($16.5 million). This is similar to the €13.2 million ($16.6 million) contributed during the previous five-year period, from 2012–2016.
Summary of contributions: 2017–2021[4]
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
|
2021 |
2,990,000 |
3,537,170 |
-21% |
|
2020 |
3,936,653 |
4,491,721 |
+5% |
|
2019 |
3,815,161 |
4,270,692 |
+30 |
|
2018 |
2,790,000 |
3,296,943 |
+270 |
|
2017 |
788,330 |
890,892 |
-69 |
|
Total |
14,320,144 |
16,487,418 |
N/A |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
[1] Average exchange rate for 2021: €1=US$1.1830. United States (US) Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2022.
[2] Belgium Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2021), Form J. See, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Database; and email from Sigurd Schelstraete, Director, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Belgium Federal Public Service, Foreign Affairs, 23 September 2022.
[3] Kingdom of Belgium, Federal Public Service, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, “Belgian Approach to Mine Action,” 2021.
[4] See previous Monitor reports.